Upfront

Oct2008

Preserving the Vision of the Future

Optic Nerve has discovered a way to give protection to the other
side of the world without ever leaving home. The company
donated 1,000 pairs of sunglasses to the dZi Foundation, which
facilitates a variety of educational sponsorships, clinics and community
services throughout the world. The foundation, through
its optical solutions program, which provides optical education,
ophthalmologist consultations and eyewear and sunwear to
children in desert-like climates who often suffer from eye problems
stemming from sun damage, will distribute the sunglasses
to children in the Indian cities of Ladakh and Sikkim.

“We distribute Optic Nerve sunglasses to each child we
see with instructions on the need to wear them,” says Monica
Schalla, optical solutions program director at the dZi
Foundation. “Four years ago we struggled to get children to
wear them as they just didn’t see anyone wearing sunglasses—it
was somewhat of a stigma. Now they see us and the first thing
they ask for are the sunglasses. It’s fantastic.”

Optic Nerve has donated 1,000 pairs of sunglasses for
adults and children every year since 2006.